New doctor wants to serve the underserved

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By Brandy Nance (Contact)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Flint Hills Community Health Center’s newest doctor is reaching out through his profession to find health solutions for those who have limited resources.

Dr. Paul McDonald, an internal medicine doctor, started at the health center on Aug. 1. He moved to Emporia with is wife of 11 months, Gayle, who took a job teaching sixth grade in Emporia. McDonald previously worked for the United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries Community Health Center in Garden City. Before working in Garden City, McDonald completed a residency program in Los Angeles at Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Center, and another residency program at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, in Canton, Ohio. He received his medical degree from Finch University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School.

McDonald, who is originally from South Bend, Ind., sought a job that would allow him to work in the underserved community. He found the job in Garden City and then the one in Emporia.

“I always had an interest in helping the underserved community,” he said.

McDonald is the youngest of six children. His mother worked in a factory and his father worked as a janitor. The two sent all six children to college, McDonald said.

“I was the last out of six to go,” he said. “I think it was good our parents were able to, on their income, send us to school. I have a lot of respect for them to do that.”

McDonald’s oldest brother, who is now deceased, inspired him to get into medicine. His brother was in pulmonary medicine.

“As a child I saw him practicing and that kind of encouraged me to want to become a doctor,” McDonald said.

A strong desire to help people also was a draw for McDonald to the medical field. He chose internal medicine for the challenge, he said. For him, being an internal medicine doctor is different from a family practice doctor, who sees patients of all ages. As an internal medicine doctor, McDonald sees mainly adult patients with chronic illnesses, he said.

There are several aspects of his job that McDonald enjoys, he said. He enjoys the aspect of helping people and the challenges of medicine. He enjoys tapping into resources to get his patients the care they deserve.

“When you come into a community you have to be creative,” he said. “A creative doctor. I enjoy the challenge of using limited resources but at the same time giving quality care.”

“I think the thing that really helps me sleep at night is that at the end of the day I’ve helped someone.”

The challenge of medicine also fuels McDonald’s passion for the field.

“Internal medicine is always changing,” he said. “You need to keep up on current protocols.”

Being African American is another drive for McDonald. He said he wants to be a part of the solution for minorities.

“I’m a minority,” he said. “I have a strong desire to help other minorities.”

Working for an organized health center is another aspect of the job McDonald enjoys.

“I’ve been really impressed with Flint Hills Community Health Center,” he said. “I like the executive director. She is very organized. I think the organization has trickled down ... I really haven’t heard anything but good things about the clinic.”